The Relationship between strength and academic performance: A new reason to promote physical activity

Abstract Background Experimental studies have determined that higher strength values are associated with more efficient cognitive function and better academic performance. In spite of this, the universities in Colombia are decreasing the time available for physical activity in favour of increasing the time devoted to theoretical subjects. This is one of the reasons why in Colombia, only 18% of young people complied with the world recommendations of physical activity. To examine this problem, the objective of this research was to establish the relationship between strength and academic performance in university students. Methods A cross-sectional study was developed in 135 (21.8 ± 4.5 yr; 78.69 ± 9.1kg) students of the fifth semester of the Areandina University in Bogota, Colombia. Each participant developed incremental protocols to determine the maximum weight that he or she could move in six different exercises: squat in smith machine, leg press, leg extension, bench press, pull down and military press. The average of the results of these tests was taken as the value of maximum strength. To determine academic performance, the average of the scores accumulated in the five semesters of their university studies was evaluated. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to find the linear relationship between strength and academic performance. Results Overall, 70.3 % of the participants were men and 29.7% were women. The results of the maximum strength tests were significantly higher in the male group than in the female group (P < 0.05). Academic performance was similar in both genders (P > 0.05). A positive correlation was established between maximum strength and academic performance. (r = 0.64 P < 0.05). Conclusions The conclusion of this research was that there is a significant relationship between strength and academic performance. These results are fundamental to justify the inclusion of spaces for the promotion of physical activity in public and private universities. Key messages Universities are institutions that only focus on academic training and generate contexts in which sedentary behaviours are promoted. Sedentary lifestyles are a public health problem in Colombia.

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Associations of Physical Fitness and Academic Achievement Among Illinois High School Students

The Physical Educator ◽

10.18666/tpe-2021-v78-i3-10311 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 78 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Megan Marie Weemer ◽

Olabode Ayodele

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

High School ◽

Academic Achievement ◽

Academic Performance ◽

High School Students ◽

Physical Fitness ◽

Pearson Correlation ◽

Positive Association ◽

School Students ◽

The Relationship

The health benefits of physical activity are empirically supported and well accepted. However, the relationship between physical activity, physical fitness, and academic performance remains to be clearly established. The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between physical fitness and academic achievement among a sample of Illinois high school students. Analyses were based on the 2016–2017 school year Archival Fitnessgram physical fitness test scores and cumulative GPAs of ninth- through twelfth-grade students (N = 371). Pearson correlation assessed the relationship between physical fitness and academic performance. Multiple linear regression predicted students’ academic achievement. There was a positive association between total fitness and academic achievement, although not statistically significant, r (369) = .002, p = .49. The regression prediction model was statistically significant (p < .001) and accounted for approximately 25% of the variance in academic achievement (R2 = .256, adjusted R2 = .246). Academic achievement was predicted by total number of absences and gender, and to a lesser extent by socioeconomic status, the curl-up, and ethnicity. The findings of this study suggest a positive association between physical fitness and academic achievement. These results are potentially relevant to the development of future education policies. Thus, policy makers, school administrators, and educators must use the knowledge gained in this study, along with existing research, as evidence to emphasize the importance of the fitness–academic link, to further support the need for quality physical education curriculum and mandated physical fitness testing.

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The Feasibility of Using Instagram Data to Predict Exercise Identity and Physical Activity Levels: Cross-sectional Observational Study (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.20954 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Sam Liu ◽

Megan Perdew ◽

Alexander Lithopoulos ◽

Ryan E Rhodes

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Identity Development ◽

Pearson Correlation ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Lifestyle Behaviors ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Mediation Analyses ◽

Macro Modeling ◽

Exercise Identity ◽

The Relationship

BACKGROUND Exercise identity is an important predictor for regular physical activity (PA). There is a lack of research on the potential mechanisms or antecedents of identity development. Theories of exercise identity have proposed that investment, commitment and self-referential (eg, I am an exerciser) statements, and social activation (comparison, support) may be crucial to identity development. Social media may be a potential mechanism to shape identity. OBJECTIVE The objectives of this study were to (1) explore whether participants were willing to share their Instagram data with researchers to predict their lifestyle behaviors; (2) examine whether PA-related Instagram uses (ie, the percentage of PA-related Instagram posts, fitness-related followings, and the number of likes received on PA-related posts) were positively associated with exercise identity; and (3) evaluate whether exercise identity mediates the relationship between PA-related Instagram use and weekly PA minutes. METHODS Participants (18-30 years old) were asked to complete a questionnaire to evaluate their current levels of exercise identity and PA. Participants’ Instagram data for the past 12 months before the completion of the questionnaire were extracted and analyzed with their permission. Instagram posts related to PA in the 12 months before their assessment, the number of likes received for each PA-related post, and verified fitness- or PA-related followings by the participants were extracted and analyzed. Pearson correlation analyses were used to evaluate the relationship among exercise identity, PA, and Instagram uses. We conducted mediation analyses using the PROCESS macro modeling tool to examine whether exercise identity mediated the relationship between Instagram use variables and PA. Descriptive statistical analyses were used to compare the number of willing participants versus those who were not willing to share their Instagram data. RESULTS Of the 76 participants recruited to participate, 54% (n=41) shared their Instagram data. The percentage of PA-related Instagram posts (r=0.38; P=.01) and fitness-related Instagram followings (r=0.39; P=.01) were significantly associated with exercise identity. The average number of “likes” received (r=0.05, P=.75) was not significantly associated with exercise identity. Exercise identity significantly influenced the relationship between Instagram usage metrics (ie, the percentage of PA-related Instagram posts [P=.01] and verified fitness-related Instagram accounts [P=.01]) and PA level. Exercise identity did not significantly influence the relationship between the average number of “likes” received for the PA-related Instagram posts and PA level. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that an increase in PA-related Instagram posts and fitness-related followings were associated with a greater sense of exercise identity. Higher exercise identity led to higher PA levels. Exercise identity significantly influenced the relationship between PA-related Instagram posts (P=.01) and fitness-related followings on PA levels (P=.01). These results suggest that Instagram may influence a person’s exercise identity and PA levels. Future intervention studies are warranted.

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The Feasibility of Using Instagram Data to Predict Exercise Identity and Physical Activity Levels: Cross-sectional Observational Study

Journal of Medical Internet Research ◽

10.2196/20954 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 23 (4) ◽

pp. e20954

Author(s):

Sam Liu ◽

Megan Perdew ◽

Alexander Lithopoulos ◽

Ryan E Rhodes

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Identity Development ◽

Pearson Correlation ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Lifestyle Behaviors ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Mediation Analyses ◽

Macro Modeling ◽

Exercise Identity ◽

The Relationship

Background Exercise identity is an important predictor for regular physical activity (PA). There is a lack of research on the potential mechanisms or antecedents of identity development. Theories of exercise identity have proposed that investment, commitment and self-referential (eg, I am an exerciser) statements, and social activation (comparison, support) may be crucial to identity development. Social media may be a potential mechanism to shape identity. Objective The objectives of this study were to (1) explore whether participants were willing to share their Instagram data with researchers to predict their lifestyle behaviors; (2) examine whether PA-related Instagram uses (ie, the percentage of PA-related Instagram posts, fitness-related followings, and the number of likes received on PA-related posts) were positively associated with exercise identity; and (3) evaluate whether exercise identity mediates the relationship between PA-related Instagram use and weekly PA minutes. Methods Participants (18-30 years old) were asked to complete a questionnaire to evaluate their current levels of exercise identity and PA. Participants’ Instagram data for the past 12 months before the completion of the questionnaire were extracted and analyzed with their permission. Instagram posts related to PA in the 12 months before their assessment, the number of likes received for each PA-related post, and verified fitness- or PA-related followings by the participants were extracted and analyzed. Pearson correlation analyses were used to evaluate the relationship among exercise identity, PA, and Instagram uses. We conducted mediation analyses using the PROCESS macro modeling tool to examine whether exercise identity mediated the relationship between Instagram use variables and PA. Descriptive statistical analyses were used to compare the number of willing participants versus those who were not willing to share their Instagram data. Results Of the 76 participants recruited to participate, 54% (n=41) shared their Instagram data. The percentage of PA-related Instagram posts (r=0.38; P=.01) and fitness-related Instagram followings (r=0.39; P=.01) were significantly associated with exercise identity. The average number of “likes” received (r=0.05, P=.75) was not significantly associated with exercise identity. Exercise identity significantly influenced the relationship between Instagram usage metrics (ie, the percentage of PA-related Instagram posts [P=.01] and verified fitness-related Instagram accounts [P=.01]) and PA level. Exercise identity did not significantly influence the relationship between the average number of “likes” received for the PA-related Instagram posts and PA level. Conclusions Our results suggest that an increase in PA-related Instagram posts and fitness-related followings were associated with a greater sense of exercise identity. Higher exercise identity led to higher PA levels. Exercise identity significantly influenced the relationship between PA-related Instagram posts (P=.01) and fitness-related followings on PA levels (P=.01). These results suggest that Instagram may influence a person’s exercise identity and PA levels. Future intervention studies are warranted.

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The Positive Relationship between Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity and Bone Mineral Content Is Not Mediated by Free Leptin Index in Prepubertal Children: The PANIC Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18105365 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (10) ◽

pp. 5365

Author(s):

Annie M. Constable ◽

Josie E. Porter ◽

Danielle Benger ◽

Dimitris Vlachopoulos ◽

Alan R. Barker ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Bone Mineral Content ◽

Bone Mineral ◽

Mineral Content ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Prepubertal Children ◽

Total Body ◽

The Relationship

Purpose: Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) positively influences bone mineral content (BMC) in prepubertal children, but it is unknown whether this relationship is partially mediated by free leptin index. The aim of this study was to examine whether the relationship between MVPA and total body less head (TBLH) BMC is mediated or moderated by free leptin index in prepubertal children. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional analysis on 401 children (194 girls) from baseline examinations of the Physical Activity and Nutrition in Childhood Study. We applied the four-way decomposition mediation analysis method to assess whether free leptin index, measured from fasted blood samples, mediated the relationship between accelerometer-measured MVPA and TBLH BMC measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Results: MVPA had a positive controlled direct effect on TBLH BMC in girls and boys (β = 0.010 to 0.011, p < 0.05). There was no mediation or interaction between MVPA, free leptin index and TBLH BMC in girls or boys (β = −0.000 to 0.001, p > 0.05). Conclusion: Our study indicates that MVPA positively influences TBLH BMC through pathways not related to free leptin index in predominantly normal-weight prepubertal children, likely primarily through mechanical loading. The relationships between MVPA, free leptin index and TBLH BMC may be influenced by other factors such as pubertal status and adiposity, so it is unknown whether these observations extend to overweight and obese children at different stages of puberty.

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Greenspace and depression in Japanese Older Adults considering physical activities: JAGES study

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa166.098 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽

Author(s):

M Nishigaki ◽

C Koga ◽

M Hanazato ◽

K Kondo

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Large Scale ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Evaluation Study ◽

Physical Activities ◽

Residential Areas ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Local Climate

Abstract Introduction Older adult's depression is a public health problem. In recent years, exposure to local greenspace is beneficial to mental health via increased physical activity in people. However, few studies approach the relationship between greenspace and depression while simultaneously considering the frequency, time, and the number of types of physical activity, and large-scale surveys targeting the older adults. Methods Cross-sectional data conducted in 2016 by the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study was used. The analysis included older adults aged 65 and over who did not require care or assistance, and a total of 126,878 people in 881 School districts. The explanatory variable is the percentage of the greenspace of the area, and the greenspace data used is data created from satellite photographs acquired by observation satellites of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. The objective variable was depression (Geriatric Depression Scale 5 points or more). The analysis method was a multi-level logistic regression analysis. Physical activity was the number of sports-related hobbies, the frequency of participation in sports meetings, and walking time in daily life. Other factors such as personal attributes, population density of residential areas, and local climate were also considered. Results Depression in the survey was 20.4%. The abundance of greenspace was still associated with depression, considering all physical activity. The odds ratio of depression in areas with more greenspace was 0.92 (95% CI 0.87 - 0.98) compared to areas with less greenspace. Conclusions It became clear that areas with many greenspace were still associated with low depression, even considering the frequency, time and number of physical activities. It is conceivable that the healing effect of seeing greenspace, the reduction of air pollution and noise, etc. are related to the lack of depression without going through physical activity. Key messages In Japan, older adults are less depressed when there are many local greenspace. It became clear that areas with many greenspace were still associated with low depression, even considering physical activities.

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POS1465-HPR THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SEDENTARY BEHAVIOR AND SLEEP IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases ◽

10.1136/annrheumdis-2021-eular.641 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽

pp. 1017.2-1018

Author(s):

N. Kelly ◽

E. Hawkins ◽

H. O’leary ◽

K. Quinn ◽

G. Murphy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Sleep Quality ◽

Sedentary Behavior ◽

Disease Duration ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

P Value ◽

Poor Sleep ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Relationship

Background:Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, autoimmune inflammatory condition that affects 0.5% of the adult population worldwide (1). Sedentary behavior (SB) is any waking behavior characterized by an energy expenditure of ≤1.5 METs (metabolic equivalent) and a sitting or reclining posture, e.g. computer use (2) and has a negative impact on health in the RA population (3). Sleep is an important health behavior, but sleep quality is an issue for people living with RA (4, 5). Poor sleep quality is associated with low levels of physical activity in RA (4) however the association between SB and sleep in people who have RA has not been examined previously.Objectives:The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between SB and sleep in people who have RA.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted. Patients were recruited from rheumatology clinics in a large acute public hospital serving a mix of urban and rural populations. Inclusion criteria were diagnosis of RA by a rheumatologist according to the American College of Rheumatology criteria age ≥ 18 and ≤ 80 years; ability to mobilize independently or aided by a stick; and to understand written and spoken English. Demographic data on age, gender, disease duration and medication were recorded. Pain and fatigue were measured by the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), anxiety and depression were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. SB was measured using the ActivPAL4™ activity monitor, over a 7-day wear period. Descriptive statistics were calculated to describe participant characteristics. Relationships between clinical characteristics and SB were examined using Pearson’s correlation coefficients and regression analyses.Results:N=76 participants enrolled in the study with valid data provided by N=72 participants. Mean age of participants was 61.5years (SD10.6) and the majority 63% (n = 47) were female. Participant mean disease duration was 17.8years (SD10.9). Mean SB time was 533.7 (SD100.1) minutes (8.9 hours per day/59.9% of waking hours). Mean sleep quality score was 7.2 (SD5.0) (Table 1). Correlation analysis and regression analysis found no significant correlation between sleep quality and SB variables. Regression analysis demonstrated positive statistical associations for SB time and body mass index (p-value=0.03846, R2 = 0.05143), SB time and pain VAS (p-value=0.009261, R2 = 0.07987), SB time and HADS (p-value = 0.009721, R2 = 0.08097) and SB time and HADSD (p-value = 0.01932, R2 = 0.0643).Conclusion:We found high levels of sedentary behavior and poor sleep quality in people who have RA, however no statistically significant relationship was found in this study. Future research should further explore the complex associations between sedentary behavior and sleep quality in people who have RA.References:[1]Carmona L, et al. Rheumatoid arthritis. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol 2010;24:733–745.[2]Anon. Letter to the editor: standardized use of the terms “sedentary” and “sedentary behaviours”. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab = Physiol Appl Nutr Metab 2012;37:540–542.[3]Fenton, S.A.M. et al. Sedentary behaviour is associated with increased long-term cardiovascular risk in patients with rheumatoid arthritis independently of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 18, 131 (2017).[4]McKenna S, et al. Sleep and physical activity: a cross-sectional objective profile of people with rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatol Int. 2018 May;38(5):845-853.[5]Grabovac, I., et al. 2018. Sleep quality in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and associations with pain, disability, disease duration, and activity. Journal of clinical medicine, 7(10)336.Table 1.Sleep quality in people who have RASleep variableBed Time N(%) before 10pm13(18%) 10pm-12pm43 (60%) after 12pm16 (22%)Hours Sleep mean(SD)6.56 (1.54)Fall Asleep minutes mean(SD)33.3(27.7)Night Waking N(%)45(63%)Self-Rate Sleep mean(SD)2.74 (0.90)Hours Sleep mean(SD)6.56 (1.54)Disclosure of Interests:None declared

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Social and family factors as determinants of exercise habits in Japanese elementary school children: a cross-sectional study from the Super Shokuiku School Project

Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine ◽

10.1186/s12199-020-00892-3 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 25 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Satomi Sawa ◽

Michikazu Sekine ◽

Masaaki Yamada ◽

Yugo Fukazawa ◽

Yusuke Hiraku

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Social Background ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Family Factors ◽

Parental Communication ◽

School Life ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Exercise Habits ◽

School Project ◽

The Relationship

Abstract Background Many studies have already reported on the relationship between exercise habits and health among schoolchildren. However, few have examined social and/or family factors as determinants of exercise habits. Methods This study’s participants included 1721 schoolchildren aged between 6 and 13 who were involved in the Super Shokuiku School Project in January 2016. A survey was conducted to assess gender, grade level, physical activity, lifestyle, overall health, enrichment of school life, social background, and parental lifestyles. Both dislike and lack of physical activity were used to measure poor exercise habits; correlates were analyzed using logistic regression. Results “Lack of close friends” had the strongest links with both dislike (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 5.30; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.78–10.1) and lack of (adjusted OR 5.40; 95% CI, 2.81–10.4) physical activity. Further, children who engaged in long periods of screen time and lacked parental communication also tended to dislike and lack physical activity. Children with mothers who were unemployed (housewives) and had unhealthy lifestyles, as well as those with poor health, were also more likely to lack physical activity. Conclusion Social and family factors (e.g., having close friends) may be determinants of exercise habits among schoolchildren, independent of their own lifestyle factors. Although a longitudinal study is needed to determine causality, substantial attention may thus be required to these factors when promoting physical activity in children.

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How does academic achievement relate to cardiorespiratory fitness, self-reported physical activity and objectively reported physical activity: a systematic review in children and adolescents aged 6–18 years

British Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1136/bjsports-2016-097361 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 52 (16) ◽

pp. 1039-1039 ◽

Cited By ~ 48

Author(s):

Adilson Marques ◽

Diana A Santos ◽

Charles H Hillman ◽

Luís B Sardinha

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Academic Achievement ◽

Children And Adolescents ◽

Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽

Inclusion Criteria ◽

Eligibility Criteria ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Explanatory Variables ◽

The Relationship

ObjectiveThis report aimed to systematically review the evidence for a differential association between objective and self-reported physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness on academic achievement.DesignSystematic review.Data sourcesStudies were identified from searches in Embase, Education Resources Information Center, PubMed, PsycINFO, SPORTdiscus and Web of Science databases from January 2000 to December 2016.Eligibility criteria for selecting studiesEligibility criteria included cross-sectional, longitudinal and interventional study designs. Outcomes included students’ school grade or a standardised test or measure of academic achievement. Explanatory variables were cardiorespiratory fitness and objective and self-reported physical activity. Inclusion criteria included school-aged children and adolescents aged–18 years (or students from primary to secondary school when student’s participants age was not described) and articles published in English, Portuguese or Spanish.ResultsA total of 51 articles met inclusion criteria: 41 cross-sectional, 2 intervention and 8 longitudinal studies. Results from 11 studies were inconsistent regarding the relationship between objectively measured physical activity and academic achievement. Ten of the 16 articles reported positive associations between self-reported physical activity and academic achievement. From the 22 studies that analysed the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness and academic achievement, it was verified that they all generally support the beneficial effect of cardiorespiratory fitness on students’ academic achievement.ConclusionHigher cardiorespiratory fitness may be important to enhance children and adolescents’ health and, additionally, academic achievement. Due to a lack of consensus across studies, methodological issues associated with the assessment of physical activity should be considered when investigating physical activity and academic achievement.

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Daily Sitting for Long Periods Increases the Odds for Subclinical Atheroma Plaques

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10061229 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. 1229

Author(s):

Jose Luis Perez-Lasierra ◽

Martin Laclaustra ◽

Pilar Guallar-Castillón ◽

Jose Antonio Casasnovas ◽

Jose Antonio Casajús ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Subclinical Atherosclerosis ◽

Sitting Time ◽

Health Study ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Trained Personnel ◽

Atherosclerosis Development ◽

Sectional Analysis ◽

The Relationship

Sedentarism is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), but currently it is not clear how a sedentary behavior such as long sitting time can affect atherosclerosis development. This study examined the relationship between sitting time and the prevalence of carotid and femoral subclinical atherosclerosis. A cross-sectional analysis based on a subsample of 2082 participants belonging to the Aragon Workers’ Health Study was carried out. Ultrasonography was used to assess the presence of plaques in carotid and femoral territories; the validated Spanish version of the questionnaire on the frequency of engaging in physical activity used in the Nurses’ Health Study and the Health Professionals’ was used to assess physical activity and sitting time; and demographic, anthropometric, and clinical data were obtained by trained personnel during the annual medical examination. Participants were categorized into <9 h/day and ≥9 h/day sitting time groups. After adjusting for several confounders, compared with participants that remain seated <9 h/day, those participants who remain seated ≥9 h/day had, respectively, OR = 1.25 (95%CI: 1.01, 1.55, p < 0.05) and OR = 1.38 (95%CI: 1.09, 1.74, p < 0.05) for carotid and any-territory plaque presence. Remaining seated ≥9 h/day is associated with higher odds for carotid and any-territory plaque presence independently of physical activity levels and other cardiovascular risk factors.

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Prevalence of Physical Activity Among Lebanese Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.6.3.315 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. 315-320 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Mohamad Al-Tannir ◽

Samer Kobrosly ◽

Taha Itani ◽

Mariam El-Rajab ◽

Sawsan Tannir

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Medical History ◽

Smoking Status ◽

Physical Activity Behavior ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Activity Behavior ◽

The Relationship

Background:This survey aims to assess the prevalence of physical activity among adult Lebanese, and to report the relationship between sociodemographic variables and physical activity behavior, highlighting the correlates discouraging people to carry out physical activity.Methods:A cross-sectional study using an anonymous self-reported questionnaire was conducted on 346 adults from four Lebanese districts. Demographic characteristics, physical activity, smoking status, alcohol consumption, and medical history were obtained.Results:Prevalence of physical activity among Lebanese adults was 55.5% (192/346). Age, BMI, marital status, medical history, occupation, educational level, and smoking were significantly associated with physical activity (P < .05). Inactive obese participants were about three times more likely to report hypertension and diabetes than inactive normal weight participants (P = .013). BMI was significantly higher among inactive participants (P = .014).Conclusion:Physical activity among Lebanese adults was comparable to other populations. Married, non–office workers, and smokers were the main correlates of physical inactivity in Lebanese adulthood.

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